16th February 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Brun claims maiden win as pro in Sokhna
France’s Julien Brun claimed maiden win as pro in Egypt. He signed for 69 final round to win by one shot the Ein Bay Open with -13 total. Compatriots Xavier Poncelet and Alex Daydou are ties for second. Brun had already won a pro event as an amateur in 2012 on Challenge Tour in France.
It has been ages since it was so cold and windy in Sokhna. Rain, wind and clouds were on the menu of the final round in Egypt. The joke of the day was that weather was better in Paris or Milan. Julien Brun had a very good start despite the tough conditions.
He holed for birdie on the first hole and gained two other shot on the par 5 7th and the 9th. Meanwhile in the last group, overnight leader Alex Daydou turned 38 after first nine. He admitted he made some mistakes here and there and did not putt as well as the previous two days. He holed for birdie on the last hole to finish second, a one thousand euro putt.
His playing partner rookie Lars Van Meijel played solid and was tie for the lead on the 15th when Brun dropped a shot but the Frenchman took advantage of the last par 5 of the course and holed for birdie on the 17th. Van Meijel dropped a shot there due to a bad tee shot and a 1,5 meter putt missed for par.
In the penultimate group, Xavier Poncelet climbed on the second step of the podium thanks to back to back birdie from the 16th.
Quotes :
Julien Brun
« I started well so it helped to feel more comfortable on the back nine even if i could feel the pressure about a win. I am so happy with this win at the beginning of the season.
I missed a very short putt on the 11th. It kind of knocked me out and I struggled to get back in the pace but what is done is done and I am very satisfied with this win.
I saw the leaderboard on the 15th when I dropped a shot. I realize that there were many guys not so far away and I needed to finish well because they could finish with a hat trick of birdies. I gave myself chances, I had 3 birdies opportunities and I holed one on the 17th.
Alex Daydou
« All in all it was a good though. I played pretty well today compared to the past 2 days but I did not hole as many putts unfortunately but it happens, that is the game. I played par today, a bit disappointed with the way I started the day. It was brutal with the wind and the rain. I did what I could and I made a few mistakes here and there. On the back nine, I played really better and I managed to holed two birdies. »
Xavier Poncelet
« When I woke up this morning I saw it was very windy so I knew it would be tough conditions. I did not look too much at the leaderboard but I saw the one on the 15th and it helped me to play to some nice shots and to finish well.
I am happy because I have been working nicely with my coach -my brother- this winter. We worked less but better I think and I do lots of sports and it seemed to be the right thing. »
From Sokhna Golf Club
Agathe Séron
